The European Work Organisation Network (EWON) was launched in Brussels on 2 March 1999. The initiative to set up such a network was originally proposed in the 1997 European Commission Communication on the Social and labour dimension of the information society [1] (COM(97)390) (EU9707140N [2]). The network was also mentioned in the November 1998 Communication on Modernising the organisation of work - a positive approach to change [3] (COM(98)592) (EU9901146F [4]), which built upon the 1997 consultative Green Paper, Partnership for a new organisation of work [5] (COM(97)128) (EU9707134F [6]), and essentially laid down a blueprint for the social partners' contribution to the modernisation of work organisation.[1] http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/soc-dial/info_soc/com397/97397i.htm[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/commission-adopts-a-communication-on-the-social-and-labour-market-dimension-of-the-information[3] http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/soc-dial/labour/com98-592/com592en.pdf[4] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-working-conditions/commission-invites-social-partners-to-take-the-lead-in-modernising-work-organisation[5] http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/soc-dial/social/greenen.htm[6] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-working-conditions/commission-seeks-to-encourage-debate-on-new-forms-of-work-organisation
The European Work Organisation Network (EWON) was launched in March 1999. The main aim of the network is to support and speed up the modernisation of work organisation across European enterprises.
The European Work Organisation Network (EWON) was launched in Brussels on 2 March 1999. The initiative to set up such a network was originally proposed in the 1997 European Commission Communication on the Social and labour dimension of the information society (COM(97)390) (EU9707140N). The network was also mentioned in the November 1998 Communication on Modernising the organisation of work - a positive approach to change (COM(98)592) (EU9901146F), which built upon the 1997 consultative Green Paper, Partnership for a new organisation of work (COM(97)128) (EU9707134F), and essentially laid down a blueprint for the social partners' contribution to the modernisation of work organisation.
The members of EWON are the Commission, national institutes from EU countries which are considered experts in issues related to work organisation (such as ANACT from France, CENSIS from Italy and ACAS from the UK) and the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. In addition, institutes from the other countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) will act as observers.
At the launch of the network, Allan Larsson, director general of DGV of the Commission, welcomed the members of EWON, the observers, and the representatives of the social partners and emphasised the political priority and importance given to the issue of organisational innovation, particularly in respect of the "adaptability pillar" of the EU Employment Guidelines. In addition, Mr Larsson stressed the importance of EWON as a tool for assisting the social partners in their efforts to develop partnership in the field of work organisation.
EWON's main responsibilities will be the collection, analysis and dissemination of good practice and examples of innovative work organisation. The work will primarily be aimed at facilitating improvements at enterprise level, but also at supporting social partners, public authorities and the Commission itself in framework actions on adaptation and new forms of work organisation. As part of this process, the network intends to establish relationships with research institutes and other networks.
EWON next meeting was due to be held in Bonn on 17 May, and the network is currently is developing dissemination tools, a newsletter and a website.
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